Yeah, yeah. It's easy to make fun of Scotland after that match and hit some low blows. But you're all forgetting one important thing. Scotland were severely handicapped going into this match in a way that Germany weren't. After all, those lazy fecking tartan wearing cnuts are used to weaker beer for their pre-match pints. Completely knocked them out cold before the match even started.
Day 1 | Germany vs Scotland
- Thread starter SilentWitness
- Start date
The manager doesn’t have players to play his style. That’s a valid excuse at United.
Trust Moyes to bring up how close we were to signing him in the summer of 2014
Should’ve specified big tournaments, haven’t watched a full international friendly in ages. Also, Scotland was outclassed by England but Germany’s performance was on another level. Scotland had zero shots.
Scotland’s top goal scorer… Owen McGoal
McTominay doesn't have a single useful midfield ability though. He's just not a midfielder. He's got some abilities as a shadow striker type which might also work for a false 9 type of role maybe. And he maybe can do a job in defence in a pinch
Why everybody keeps instisting on him playing in midfield and treating him like a midfielder is one of the great mysteries in the sport
Because in the Scotland setup he's still better than what's on the bench. Clarke plays a defensive 5-4-1, so there isn't really another position available for him.
Either don't play him deep, or defend deep as a team. And you're still better off playing him up top anyways
You would've been laughed down in Germany as well. There wasn't a lot of confidence in this team at home, which was why you saw a huge response to the win in the stadium during the match and afterwards. It's a massive morale booster for the team and nation.
Damn I didn’t even realise that this has started. That’s never happened with a Euros. I think that over time I’ve just realised that the WC dwarfs the regional tournaments in terms of relevance and appeal. Anyone else feel the hype surrounding this is low or is it just me?
I was also thinking this. SMT still plays like a youth player. He's nervous, shows no appetite to impact the game. He was really, really poor. I sometimes wonder whether there is something wrong with him.
He has so much experience, it's difficult to understand. He's young, staggeringly wealthy, in full health and living a dream.
He should play like that sometimes.
They have by far the best manager in the tournament. They're hosting the whole thing. And they have an exceptional first 11, with good depth as well. I feel like some of their most important players are also somewhat underrated.
Rüdiger and Schlotterbeck have both been amongst the best defenders in the world this past season. Havertz is an incredible #9 but hasn't always played there at Arsenal. He has impressive G/A when playing there, though. Kroos is still one of the best #8s. He can dictate any game, and almost every pass he makes is the perfect decision. Wirtz and Musiala are among the biggest U21 talents in the world. Losing Gündogan is the biggest reason why City weren't as strong this year than before. And on top of all these player, their core still involves the likes of Neuer, Kimmich, Tah, Mittelstadt, Sané, etc.
The last Euros and World Cup were a failure for them, but this time I think it's very clear that this is a different Germany side who are going to the semis at the very least.
This game shows why having too many teams dilutes the quality of the tournament. It was never a contest and over after 20 minutes. The Euro's with 16 teams was better. 32 would be ludicrous.
These comments are just silly.
Spain thumped Costa Rica 7-0 in the World Cup, only for Costa Rica then to beat Japan 1-0, who went on to beat Spain in the last group game after beating Germany in the first.
Absolutely trash performances happen sometimes.
Extremely harsh
Expected us to lose but it was men against boys last night. Germany were far superior the whole game. Sent the kids to bed at half time, wasn’t worth keeping them up any later for that showing!
Nah, bad day at the office and Germany were on song. Scotland are exactly the sort of team that should be qualifying. They had some great results on the way there and were fully deserving of their qualification. There is quality in there. They just didn't do themselves justice.
Hopefully we can pick ourselves up in our games against Hungary and Switzerland. I hope that this demoralising loss hasn’t knocked the stuffing out of us. A true snap back to reality.
Think of the positives. It gives you another thread to incessantly whine in!
Aye, barring a miracle yesterday were probably not avoiding defeat in that game so the overall plan won't have changed. Clarke has a job now turning the hurt into something positive.
I watched it in a pub but the sound was down so I had to pay full attention. Germany were just really really good. It happens sometimes and you cant even get near enough to foul them. Except, by accident, clumsily, in the box.
I actually prefer the EC over the world cup. Higher quality teams overall.
An EC with Brazil and Argentina as honorable participants would top it of course.
It is not just about the quality of the football though is it? It provides an opportunity for fans of more countries to join in.
I would prefer having a Euro with 32 teams instead of this crap format. 3rd place teams going through is simply stupid and makes for boring draws.
I won't enjoy this tournament and the football as I support United more than any other national team.I can't imagine being concerned by this before the tournament startsJust enjoy the football!
I'm still concerned and being factual.
As I said before, the problem is he's being asked to play a role he has zero ability to play. McTominay is good at doing 3 things, and those things he does well, but he is completely hopeless at anything else. So you either get him to do those 3 things he does well consistently, or you're getting zero from him. Not because of any mental block but because he genuinely lacks the ability. Asking him to show for the ball in deep midfield and move it up the pitch is like asking a lit major to teach a class on quantum physics
I feel like he needs to spend 3 weeks with Ben White and then wear a big wig, and then people will finally realize what kind of player he is...
They don't. Not at club level, and way too early to tell for international football
You believe Nagelsmann isn't clearly the best out of the 24 managers in this tournament? Because that's what I was saying.
Schloterbeck has not been one of the best defenders in the world, quite the opposite. Tah himself has only excelled in a 3 at the back system, which can make a player look much better when compared to two at the back. The one worry I have for Germany is their defense since there isn't a solid CB besides Rudiger, Neuer has been prone to more errors due to his age while Mittelstadt is still inexperienced at this level and can be found out against better quality wingers. Midfield and attack will be impressive (hopefully Nagelsmann continues to play Andrich there) but it's the ability to keep clean sheets that will worry me.
If we continue with Musiala and Wirtz as our wingers (something I'm not in favour off) then there can be an issue of our attack being too narrow and easier to suffocate. Width from Kimmich and Mittelstadt will be vital in that respect but then if they are far forward then it would leave us more vulnerable to counter attacks and that again brings the issue of defending. Maybe having Gundogan as the third CM can help in that respect where he can sit a bit deeper than a CAM would and allow sort of a 3-2-4-1 when in possession (Kroos sits deep with the defenders, Gundogan and Andrich second line of defensive in front, Wirtz Musiala Kimmich Mittelstadt the 4 behind Havertz).
Obviously you are right but if we would win this year's EC, I would still trade it together with our EC 1988 win for one WC, preferrably 1998 or 2010.
Nope, he isn't.
Who would you consider on par / better than him?
Spalletti, for starters
Everyone happy about the performance. But lets be honest that was pretty much the worst possible way to play against Germany. We have seen what happens with pressure. Also we have seen how the finishing normaly is. Neither Musiala nor Wirtz or Havertz are exactly clinical in front of the goal. It was huge that they directly made the goals, but in most games of Germany it would be still 0:0 after 30 minutes cause they need at least 4-5 chances to convert 1.
Ok, I wouldn't watch if that was me
I'll enjoy the football, and at the same time hope that United add some good players during the summer window
Yup, we'll have to wait for tougher tests. For example, yesterday, Kroos had 101/102 passes, with 69/70 of them in the attacking half and 34/35 in the final third. Add Gundogan, Musiala and Wirtz to that mix, and you surely must know that, if you don't apply any pressure on the first attacker, you're asking for your arse to get spanked.
Hey but remember it's a tournament. Don't peak too early. (Looking at you Oranje 2008)
I would appreciate if one of you kind people can answer a couple of questions for me:
- How did they look with a narrow formation (I am assuming looking at the line-up on Google) as both Musiala and Wirtz are basically forwards rather than wide players.
- It's a Naglesmann team so I am pretty sure they played a pretty high line. Will smarter teams be able to pick them on the counter? Also, will they be able to crowd the center and blunt their attacking prowess given all their attackers like to play centrally.
- From the brief highlights I saw, it didn't look a red and pen to me. Was it a wrong call or did other angles it was clear cut?
- How did they look with a narrow formation (I am assuming looking at the line-up on Google) as both Musiala and Wirtz are basically forwards rather than wide players.
- It's a Naglesmann team so I am pretty sure they played a pretty high line. Will smarter teams be able to pick them on the counter? Also, will they be able to crowd the center and blunt their attacking prowess given all their attackers like to play centrally.
- From the brief highlights I saw, it didn't look a red and pen to me. Was it a wrong call or did other angles it was clear cut?
My brother in christ, that tackle is what red and pens were invented for
From what I saw in the highlights on YT, it looked he got the ball first. I need to find better highlights then.
What about the rest?